humax drt400 with component connection question

[dubluv]

i've connected my humax drt400 to my sharp aquos with component video. is the humax using the component video to display recorded shows on my tv? or is it using the component video as simple composite when not displaying a dvd?

[TydalForce]

Not sure exactly what you're asking. If the Humax is hooked up via Component, it's using the Component to send video to the TV

There's a little bit of a quality improvement with the Component cables instead of Composite or S-Video

[dubluv]

Not sure exactly what you're asking. If the Humax is hooked up via Component, it's using the Component to send video to the TV

There's a little bit of a quality improvement with the Component cables instead of Composite or S-Video


i know its a bit confusing, but i'll try. a normal S2 uses the S-video connection, which is not as good as component. i'm wondering if the regular recorded shows are outputted thru component to the tv, just like a dvd. i ask this because some hardware can use one of the 3 component video ports like a single (yellow) composite video port. i just dont know if a S2 does this with recorded material. recorded shows are obviously still in 480i (SD), whereas a dvd is 480P.

[TydalForce]

It's using the full component connection. My DRT-800 looks better output over Component vs. S-Video, but you're still limited by the quality of the incoming analog signal

[dubluv]

It's using the full component connection. My DRT-800 looks better output over Component vs. S-Video, but you're still limited by the quality of the incoming analog signal

so i guess tivo had a reason for not using component video on their S2 box? i just can't understand why tivo would n't want the best possible picture for their customers. i wish my other S2 box was a humax drtxxx, so i would have the benefit of component video over composite or s video.

[TydalForce]

for recorded-from-TV video, the advantage of Component over S-Video is small. Given that most S2 users hook up to a standard-definition TV, they wouldn't even notice the difference

DVD quality, however, is a lot higher and you can see it. People buying DVD players these days expect Component, so there it is on the DVD-equipped models.

(Besides, the DVD models were made by 3rd parties, not TiVo themselves)

[dubluv]

for recorded-from-TV video, the advantage of Component over S-Video is small. Given that most S2 users hook up to a standard-definition TV, they wouldn't even notice the difference

DVD quality, however, is a lot higher and you can see it. People buying DVD players these days expect Component, so there it is on the DVD-equipped models.

(Besides, the DVD models were made by 3rd parties, not TiVo themselves)


my reasons for questioning this is because my two tivo's are both hooked to an hdtv. the only reason i havent bought an S3 is cable card issues in the past, plus cost. i agree, if watching on a SD tv, not much will be gained using component. however, many of us have switched to HD, so our S2 boxes are lagging behind in their ability to stream better quality video to the tv.

[TydalForce]

When I first got my HDTV, I had my Humax hooked up to it via Component - because I could. It was a respectable picture, but SD of course.

One day - I forget why - I hooked it up via SVideo. Didn't look as good, but wasn't tremendously horrible either.

Always go for the best you've got.

[dubluv]

i'm wondering if we'll ever see component or hdmi in any tivo box other than series 3? unless, of course, the S3 is the replacement for all S2 boxes. i just would hate to give up TTG, plus burning dvd's by 'upgrading' to the S3.

[lafos]

Unless you have HD or a DVD TiVo, the incremental quality difference would be small relative to the cost for signal processing. I doubt that TiVo will add component to S2 boxes. Faster processors, dual tuners, and ethernet give more people benefits than those that would benefit from component.

[TydalForce]

We'll see Component and/or HDMI on any other HD-capable boxes TiVo decides to build. With the exception of the DVD models, the gains just aren't worth it for the non-HD boxes.

[dubluv]

well, if all tv programming will be in HD within a year or two, maybe tivo should consider providing S2's with component and/or hdmi connections. with the incredible explosion in hd sets, it just makes good sense. i hope tivo isnt' thinking those of us with HD sets will opt for the S3 because no other tivo will display HD. choices just makes it more appealing. just think how many products are offered by the same company that are so similar, but with the intent on appealing to every consumer within their products interest group? we'll just have to wait and see. i'm just not ready to spend 800 on the S3, and have to rely on cable cards, plus lose TTG to boot.

[TydalForce]

The S2 models can't receive HD video. Their tuners can only receive analogue SD. Component/HDMI outputs make no sense on a device that cannot take advantage of them.

They're working on lowering the cost of the S3 (and, in fact, you can get it under $700), as well as talking about a lower cost HD-capable unit.

[dubluv]

The S2 models can't receive HD video. Their tuners can only receive analogue SD. Component/HDMI outputs make no sense on a device that cannot take advantage of them.

They're working on lowering the cost of the S3 (and, in fact, you can get it under $700), as well as talking about a lower cost HD-capable unit.

right, S2 are not HD capable right now. because my drt400 has component output (primarily for the dvd player), it prompted me to explore this idea. however, you're correct, there's no sense in including HD outputs on a non hd box. ideally, what would float my boat would be an affordable HD tivo box with dvd burning capabilities. however, if that's too much to ask, then be able to record off the hd tivo to a standalone HD recorder. with all the drm buzzing around, somehow this will probably be either shelved for now, or never get to the mainstream consumer. i'm sure before too long, we'll have access to HD content via broadband (as per apple tv) and we'll either be able to record it or transfer it to a device that can. keeping my fingers crossed.